French Conversation · Level 184
14 words
French word
état-major
Pronunciation
IPA/etamaʒɔʁ/
Meaning
- masculine noungeneral staff
Example
L'état-major a pris la décision.
The general staff made the decision.
More examples
Selon l'état-major, la situation est sous contrôle.
According to the general staff, the situation is under control.
Core concept
A group of expert advisers gathered around leaders to prepare and coordinate important plans.
Similar words
direction: The people or department responsible for setting policy and directing an organization's operations.
équipe: A group of people who work together toward a shared purpose.
siège: An organization's official headquarters or main location.
bureau: A room or department where routine administrative work is carried out.
Definition in French
Organe chargé d'élaborer la stratégie et de conseiller les chefs, souvent composé d'officiers et d'experts.
Word origin
The French compound état-major uses état in the sense of a body or institution and major, from Latin maior, 'greater' or 'senior'.
Usage tips
- Before a vowel, the article elides as in l'état-major, while the hyphen remains part of the spelling.
Other meanings
- headquartersnoun
- staffnoun